Which I know is essentially old news. Like, really, really old news. But it looks like it's getting worse over there at Gibson. My three small, independent luthier friends here will not even touch the things unless they're worth touching. There has been a special extra layer of growing sadness locally, too. Because relatively speaking, I could throw a rock from my house and hit where Les Paul grew up. I met him a number of times a few years back, when he did a series of book-signings in my old bookshop, and it was so sweet to welcome the huge crowds that came, and to get to see up close the kind of love there is for him here. And talk about humble and down-to-earth. He gave nice readings, answered endless questions, and signed every last thing anybody brought him for hours on end (oh the guitars!). It was very tiring for him, but he didn't want to disappoint a soul. Wouldn't have dreamed of cutting a visit short. He was friendly and funny and a true gentleman. This is a growing ugly black mark on a monumental legacy, and if Gibson had any sense, they would be embarrassed of themselves.

On an up note, if any of you are ever in my neck of the woods, I will take you to:

When you go into a music store there are so many brands, so many makes of guitar from all over the world often selling for relatively reasonable sums of money, its no surprise the established brands are not as dominant.